Kane Vincent plays the songs of John Denver
2023-08-01 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Everyone knows a John Denver song.
Echuca based; alt country singer-songwriter Kane Vincent remembers; “Mum used to sing John Denver songs when we were little.” To him the mere thought of performing a full set of his songs is triggering.
With an engaging, soulful voice and influences from Jason Isbell to Alice in Chains, he’s not listened to John Denver since childhood; a Freudian would have a field day with this. Kane has lugged his old Maton from pub to pub for the last five years and released several Ep’s, building an audience for his music.

Last Orders
2023-08-05 15:00 - 23:30
Clodagh Doohan and Pamela Queally moved to Australia in November 2022 a captivating blend of traditional Irish, folk and pop music. The musical collaboration have been making waves in the music scene for years. Hailing from County Clare in Ireland, their unique backgrounds show off their versatility and passion for music. Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Corrs, Christy Moore and Martin Hayes creating infectious melodies that resonate with audiences of all ages, bridging the gap between generations.

Stu Thomas plays the songs of Iggy Pop
2023-08-08 20:00 - 23:30
By popular demand the paradoxical Stu Thomas, will revisit the songs of the great Iggy Pop. The savage and hair-raising ruckus Iggy Pop made with the Stooges in the late 1960s and early ’70s was some of the greatest and most influential rock ‘n’ roll ever.

Doing solo acoustic renditions but no less rockin’, and in full respect to the Igster. With at least 54 years of music to choose from, Stu has a few major Stooges and Pop classics on offer.

Malcolm Beveridge
2023-08-10 20:00 - 23:30
From an Army baby in Germany, back to his home town in sunny Inverkeithing, then on to the cultural mecca that is Victorias Sth Eastern suburbs. Mal has done some travelling and living in his time. As a sideman he has played bass for many Blues and Roots acts in the Melbourne scene. However, the last few years have been focused on his blend of Folk/Blues/Country songwriting.

Redfish Bluegrass
2023-08-11 20:00 - 23:30
Melbourne based band concentrating of bluegrass, acoustic and Americana. Formed in the mid 2000’s the band has also played in the home of Australian country music, Tamworth. Join them for their special reunion show at The Poet!
Featuring: Fergus McAlpin (guitar, vocals), Darren Maxfield (banjo, mandolin, vocals), Seamus O’Sullivan (dobro), Jim Taylor (double bass, vocals), John Dickson (harmonica, vocals), Greg Field (violin, mandolin).

If you haven’t heard of Redfish Bluegrass you may not have been of legal drinking age 10 years ago. The band started in 2003, recorded an album in 2006 and played over 300 gigs and festivals around Melbourne over the first 10 years.

Every gig was different incorporating an autonomous collective operating style prone to extemporaneous song selections, ad hoc arrangements, vocal harmonies on the run with amazing violin, mandolin and harmonica solos. They haven’t played as a group in 10 years and are keen to see if the old magic remains.

Help them celebrate the Redfish 20 year birthday reunion at the Poet.

David Cosma plays the songs of Elvis
2023-08-22 20:00 - 23:30
Drunken Poet regular and self confessed Elvis tragic David Cosma returns to the Drunken Poet for Tribute Tuesday in August, paying tribute to the undisputed King of Rock n Roll, ELVIS!

This isn’t the first time Dave has paid tribute to the King here at the Poet, so we’re gonna do it all again on August 16 when he rips through a set of Elvis’s biggest hits, the odd rarity and a few surprises along the way….

The Canyon Callers
2023-08-23 20:00 - 23:30
Melbourne’s brand new Western Swing super group starring Brooke Russell, Ben Franz and Jacob McGuffie.
The Canyon Callers play the hits of Western Swing from the likes of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Faron Young, Asleep At The Wheel and more!

Rebecca Barnard plays the songs of Joni Mitchell
2023-08-29 20:00 - 23:30
Rebecca grew up listening to Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong spending a lot of time in the pubs of Melbourne and Sydney listening to her Dad’s band and eventually getting up and singing with them at the age of 13. At the age of 14 she heard Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan and became obsessed.
Meanwhile Rebecca started seriously focusing on songwriting and Rebecca’s Empire was born. They became one of Australia’s best loved bands releasing 3 Eps and 2 Albums, touring extensively and appearing on Triple J’s Hottest 100 albums 3 years in a row.
Playing the songs of Joni Mitchell, one of the first women in modern rock to achieve enviable longevity and critical recognition, Mitchell was a major inspiration to everyone from Bob Dylan and Prince to a later generation of female artists such as Suzanne Vega and Alanis Morissette.

Celtic Connections Event – Battle of the Bands
2023-08-31 19:00 - 23:30
The Celtic Club in partnership with the Drunken Poet are proud to announce our next Celtic Connections event on Thursday 31st August kick-off at 7.00pm until late. This event is aimed at supporting upcoming bands in our Irish Community.
Six bands have been selected from the applications and the qualifying bands will play a short set each on the evening. The bands will be judged by our panel of judges based on select criteria and the winners will be announced on the evening.
Come along to support and enjoy some of our amazing local talent at this cosy authentic Irish pub, the Drunken Poet.
Ticket price includes finger food and entertainment on the evening and all drinks are at bar prices.

The Celtic Club supports and celebrates pride in Irish heritage and culture and that of the broader Celtic community.
We provide opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of members and guests that promote and encourage Gaelic language, Irish music, art and culture, and more.
We curate a collection of Celtic literature, cultural artefacts and related material for the benefit of our Members and Celtic heritage groups from all over Victoria.
Our role is at the heart of our community, where we act as a hub which supports the endeavours of the Club and our partner organisations.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Josh Maynard & Malia Stirling
2023-09-01 20:30 - 23:30
Self-taught singer/songwriter, Josh Maynard has been pursuing his love for Australian music from the very start. Starting his journey behind a drum kit at only 3 years old, Josh’s advanced sense of rhythm has become one of the identifying features of his playing.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Malia Stirling is an up and coming Australian folk singer/songwriter. With her distinct, angelic voice and poetic lyrics, Malia has captured hearts across Queensland and New South Whales over the past 6years. Shedding light on losing yourself, finding yourself and falling involve with the journey; Malia aims to create a safe, supportive space for like-minded people to gather and feel all the feels.

No Sleep Till Texas
2023-09-03 16:00 - 23:30
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia and fuelled by a love of classic country music, NO SLEEP TILL TEXAS will be stripping things back to bring their honky tonk wagon to the Drunken Poet.
Paying homage to their own heroes, the likes of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Doug Sahm, Dwight Yoakam and Willie Nelson, this Melbourne outfit are throwbacks to when country music was exactly that. Delivering their honest and bare bones take on country classics.

Katankin plays the songs of Paul Simon
2023-09-05 20:00 - 23:30

Stephanie Brett
2023-09-06 20:00 - 23:30
Stephanie Brett plays Wine Whiskey Women with her nylon string guitar and accompanied on double bass, vocal harmonies and shaker by long timer David Bramble. Singing songs of love, life, time and whiskey, written while on the road or thinking of it.

Juke Joint playing the songs of Slim Harpo
2023-09-12 20:00 - 23:30
SLIM HARPO

Known as one of the masters of the blues harmonica; the name “Slim Harpo” was a humorous takeoff on “harp,” the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles, as suggested by his wife, after discovering that someone else performed under the name Harmonica Slim.

THE JUKE JOINT:
“Continental” Robert Susz is best known as the lead singer, harmonica player and songwriter for the 1980s Soul Band “The Dynamic Hepnotics” who had a national SMASH HIT with his composition “Soul Kind Of Feeling”.

In the 90s he was the front man of funky Blues combo “The Mighty Reapers” who released a half a dozen award winning albums in Australia and the USA.

Robert has put together “The JukeJoint Three”, with HOTSHOTS Andy Baylor guitar and vocals & Ronny Ferella drums to play their tribute to Louisiana Blues Legend, Slim Harpo, who’s tunes have been covered by artists like, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Fabulous Thunderbirds & Charlie Rich to name a few.

Kane Vincent
2023-09-14 20:00 - 23:30
What’s a chef to do when he’s over the smoky grills, long hours, family drama, relationships, and life in general? Some blokes buy a Harley, some chase younger women, well Kane Vincent took the advice of a Jason Isbell song to “find what makes you happy … and do it till you’re gone,” picked up his old Maton, and got stuck into it.
Keenly observant, Kane finds lyrical inspiration in both the mundane and extraordinary stories of the everyday. These songs have a folk/pop sensibility, a soulful edge, more than a hint of country and a familiar nod to the blues.

Rodeo Nights
2023-09-16 21:00 - 23:00
Allan Fisk is an Australian Drummer, Guitarist, Singer- Songwriter who has spent the last two decades touring Oz & abroad sharing the stage with : The Re-Mains, Den Hanrahan, Matt Scullion, Wanita ‘Honky Tonk Queen’, Chucks Wagon, Glenn Rae Virus, West Texas Crude and Howlin Time.

After many years on the road touring as a professional drummer, Allan moved to a small village located in the Daguliar Ranges in Queensland Oz.

It was there that he turned his focus to playing guitar & writing songs for his new project ‘Rodeo Nights’.

Rodeo Nights is an Alternative, Indi, Country, Punk-Rock show, which details a young man’s wild journey as a musician on the road, the trials and tribulations of love & lust, and the ever predictable aftermath when it all turns to shit!

Oscar LaDell plays the sings of Muddy Waters
2023-09-19 20:00 - 23:30
Oscar LaDell plays the sings of Muddy Waters.
Muddy Waters was a dynamic American blues guitarist and singer who played a major role in creating the post-World War II electric blues.

Paper Jane Duo
2023-09-23 21:00 - 23:30
Paper Jane, original Central Victorian Americana/Electric Folk band feature country heartache with tight grooves and uplift harmonies. Paper Jane’s eclectic range of original music reflects their journey and speak with candour about life beyond first loves and happy endings.
Paper Jane has temporarily downsized to a duo of Buck Edwards and Dom Redfern. Bucky is out front on guitar and lead vocals with Dom on acoustic fretless bass (hear thar mwah!) and backing vocals. Paper Jane leaves the sounds exposed for the listener, joyous and evocative.”

The Drunken Poet Birthday Celebrations!
2023-09-24 14:00 - 23:30
2 – 3PM

Candice Alisha is a blues and folk singer songwriter originally hailing from Wodonga, Victoria but now local to Melbourne after making the move to the big city to pursue her career at the beginning of 2019. After working as a full-time musician in various bands for the better part of a decade, Candice has struck out on her own with her strong, deep and powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence launching her solo career, with her debut EP coming out in 2023
3.15pm

The Treblettes are a sassy vocal trio performing iconic songs of Motown!
4.35pm
Sean O’Callaghan talks incessantly and the odd time, some of it sounds poetic.
The right amount of righteousness.
Without being pompous.
Not over confident.
Brashly unsure.

Unsure with gusto.
5pm
Van Walker

Tasmanian native, Victoria-dwelling singer-songwriter Van Walker released six albums under his own name between 2008 and 2010; Ghosting is the first since then, although he’s been involved in various bands and projects in between. Music is, it seems, inherently part of him.
6.15pm
Slatsapalooza
7.10pm
Sean O’Callaghan
7.30pm
Slatsapalooza

Michael Burrows and Craig Kelly with Bek Chapman play the songs of Mermaid Avenue
2023-09-26 20:00 - 23:30
Michael Burrows and Craig Kelly with Bek Chapman play the songs of Mermaid Avenue (Wilco / Billy Bragg)
It was an idea that never should have worked: British folk-rocker Billy Bragg collaborating with alt-country upstarts Wilco to put music to the unreleased lyrics of Woody Guthrie. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone if it had diminished the reputation of all involved.
Instead, the 1998 release of Mermaid Avenue was a revelation, proof that Guthrie was far more than the populist, fascist-bashing folkie that he was often perceived to be – he was also capable of startlingly personal songwriting that was far ahead of its time.

Peny Bohan Band
2023-10-04 20:00 - 23:30
Peny Bohan is an award winning local Melbourne singer songwriter whose sweet croonings will make you want to stay, buy a drink and let yourself be wrapped up in her melodies.
Honest, gritty and a wee bit seductive, Peny spins tales of her every day life, love, anxiety and her sometimes desire for hirsute men.

Bunch of Bluesers
2023-10-06 20:30 - 23:30
Bunch of Bluesers are excited to return to The Drunken Poet on Friday night. Prepare yourself for The Nasty Stuff with a pint of some of the best brews on tap this close to the CBD, some super cool grooves and the kind of shenanigans that’ll keep you laughing, dancing and rocking out. Bring your thirst, wear some comfortable shoes and get the night started right!

Slim Gritty Band
2023-10-07 21:00 - 23:30
Slim Gritty perform an upbeat, uplifting mix of original compositions influenced by the timeless energy of the roots Americana genre, in particular Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Roots Country and RnB. Slim Gritty use these foundational styles to build unique compositions and craft lyrical stories with a present-day relevance, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always gritty.
The Slim Gritty line-up is a pared back trio with Slappin’ Dan Rondeau – Double Bass, Giovani Di Stefano – Drums and Slim Guitar/Vocals. All members in variable acts have worked widely both nationally and internationally.

Callum Wylie plays the sings of Guy Clark
2023-10-10 20:00 - 23:30
Callum Wylie plays the sings of Guy Clark
Songwriter, singer, and musician Guy Clark has been called the “king of the Texas troubadours.” When he moved to Nashville with his wife Susanna in 1971, he became the center of a scene that would ultimately include Rodney Crowell Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash and Townes Van Zandt – like-minded songwriters who gathered in his home to share food, drink, and new songs.
Clark’s distinct, nonconformist style – like those of the artists who surrounded him – would stretch the boundaries of country music in the 1970s and influence a generation of songwriters.
“Guy Clark’s music has always been a comfort and a great source of inspiration to me. I’m still heartbroken I never saw him live. Come and drink Guinness while I play Dublin Blues and try my best to honour the great mans legacy” – Callum Wylie

Jarrod Shaw
2023-10-12 20:00 - 23:30
Jarrod Shaw possesses a passion and appreciation for blues music that becomes obvious from the moment the first note sounds. He delivers a soulful blues inspired show, performed with conviction.
Jarrod was born and raised in country Victoria, down the dirt roads of the Macedon Ranges. He taught himself to play guitar listening to the renowned blues greats, as well as the icons of the Australian and local Melbourne blues scene.
Performing countless solo gigs has aided Jarrod in developing a musical style of his own. He blends his unique guitar approach lying somewhere between piedmont fingerstyle and the blues of the delta, with a powerful voice often described as belying his years. At times he even wails away on a racked blues harp – all at once without missing a beat. If you close your eyes you might even believe there’s more than one person performing…

The Dizzies
2023-10-14 21:00 - 23:00
Neo Rockabilly Trio The Dizzies from Melbourne Australia. Playing a mix of rockabilly classics from the 1950’s roots of rock n roll n blues thru to 1980’s Neo rockabilly styles with a mix their own originals. The trio’s minimal stylistic approach adds their own blend to rock n rolls and of course paying respects to our rock history past. Influences too mention a few stem from the Stray Cats , Eddie Cochran , Buddy Holly , Gene vincent ,Billy idiol , the Rolling stones and many more….
Fronted by Dizzy Davidson on lead vocals and guitar who has played and toured with the likes of Glen Matlock (sex pistols) Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) Earl Slick (Bowie/Lennon) The living End , Rev Horton Heat along with his own bands the Strays , RockADees and now Wolf Katz. Joined by Corey Zammit on drums and Bryan Brown on Double Bass this power packed trio is sure too get your feet howling n strutting.
The Dizzies are go and we’re ready too rock this town.

Liam Whelan plays the songs of Taylor Swift
2023-10-17 20:00 - 23:30
Liam Whelan plays the songs of Taylor Swift
You know what Liam Whelan spent sixteen hours behind a screen trying to get his hands on?
Eras tour tickets.
Guess what Liam Whelan doesn’t have?
If you, like me and a few million other Australians, missed out on Taylor Swift tickets, and find yourself unable to shake it off, the Drunken Poet, on October 17, is the pub for you.
For one night only, see sparks fly as Liam channels his deep affection for a songbook we all know all too well.
Enjoy a carefully curated evening of anthems, deep cuts, and songs from the vault, spanning Taylor Swift’s stellar ten-album discography.

Mike Vee & Marty Kelly play the songs of John Farnham
2023-10-24 20:00 - 23:30
Mike Vee and Marty Kelly play the songs of John Farnham!

Pete Campbell
2023-11-02 20:30 - 23:30
Campbell’s blend of acoustic and electric folk styles – from Appalachia and London, to the streets of Sydney – combined with blues, country and Americana, show that his influences are wide-ranging, from iconic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Allman Brothers, to contemporary Antipodean songwriters such as Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning.
The results of Pete’s musical discussions between the past and the present prove comprehensively that Parley is a conversation worth having.

Olivia Meg
2023-11-08 20:00 - 23:30
Through her profound sincerity, Olivia Meg‘s melodies resonate deeply with her audience, creating an immersive and emotional experience. With a soulful and genuine approach to her art, she creates an enduring connection that sets her apart in the ever-evolving music landscape. Prepare to be moved by the raw and honest artistry of Olivia Meg, where emotions are brought to life through the power of music.
